From my years of teaching, I would always have objectives posted on the board. It was part of my routine. One day, a teacher leader entered my room to observe me and suggested I post the objectives from the textbook we were using. I used the suggestion. When my principal evaluated me, she stated the students needed clarity on their lesson’s objective. Instead of taking the comment personally, I changed my way of thinking.
At the beginning of each lesson, I read the learning goals for the period, and I had students underline the key word of the action they were going to do during the class period. I also stated this is what you are supposed to learn by the end of this lesson. Then I would teach the lesson. I realized, when I stated the learning goals and expectations of the assignment, students worked better. Posting the learning goal and reading them were not enough for the group of students because the goals were overlooked. However, I made the goals important and recognized them as the outcome of lesson.
Here is an example how an average discussion about the learning goals would sound. “Class, today our learning targets are: you will analyze how a complex character interacts with other characters, and you will write an expository essay to compare and contrast. Underline analyze how a complex character interacts with other characters in your worktext book. What is a complex character? (A student would answer correctly.) Underline write an expository essay to compare and contrast. What is the definition of expository? (Another student would answer correctly). Today, we will analyze how Okonkwo, who is a complex character, interacts with other characters, such as his son, daughter, and wives. Afterwards, you will write an expository essay, using textual evidence, explaining how Okonkwo’s traits compare and contrast with other characters. At the end of the period, you will have analyzed Okonkwo’s character traits using the graphic organizer on page 233 and will begin an essay comparing and contrasting Okonkwo with other characters from the story.” The outcome I want students to display is analyzing Okonkwo’s character traits and begin writing an essay.
I did this at the beginning of each lesson so that students understood what was expected of their class work. Students were able to work with a focus, and the lesson objectives were clear. If they did not complete the expectations, sometimes it would be assigned as homework or I would give the class another day. How do you teach learning goals within your class? Do students have a clear and concise focus for each lesson? Explain in the comment section.
I love this, however, you state that the students underline analyze how a complex character interacts with other characters in your worktext book. How is this accomplished? We do not use a textbook a lot. Do you have the students write the objective daily? While I like the idea, I don’t have that kind of time to devote to copying the objective. You write the objective on the daily work they are doing and they underline it there? Please elaborate…
I am trying to figure out how I could incorporate a more interactive learning objective.
Thanks.
Janet
Hi Janet, you can write a learning objective on the board and state it throughout the lesson. Writing “I can statements” can be limited to one sentence, and you can state it or have students copy it as bellwork. For example, “I can analyze Okonkwo’s interaction with three characters from the novel.” To accomplish the objective, students can verbalize or write their answers. One quick assessment is to have students write down three, detailed, interactions Okonkwo had with other characters from the novel. If the students meet the objective, you may move on to the next lesson. If not, you can review the reading and perform a think aloud. I hope this helps.- Veronica George